Its main prey are wasps and bees - a huge worry for farmers in the US north west who rely on honey bees to pollinate crops such as apples, blueberries and cherries.

According to Washington State University, the Asian giant hornet's life cycle begins in April, when queens emerge from hibernation, feed on plant sap and fruit, and look for underground dens to build their nests.

Hornets are most destructive in the late summer and early autumn. Like a marauding army, the giant hornets attack honey bee hives, killing adult bees and devouring bee larvae and pupae.

Department of Agriculture scientists are due to start trapping queens, but have had to order specially reinforced PPE suits from China to protect themselves from the hornet's vicious sting.